Chapter 61
"Fine silks for sale on Jiping Street! The latest goods from Tongzhou!"
In the early morning, a horse galloped through the market, accompanied by the clanging of a gong, as the vendor's shouts echoed through the wealthy residential lanes of the Northern Territory’s prefectural city.
The gong rang repeatedly, and the calls never ceased.
In the back alleys, maids and servants of noble families, carrying basins of water, cracked open half a door from the rear entrance.
"From the south? What kind of goods are these?"
"Twilled damask silk! Exquisite gauze with fine warp and weft! Satins and plain silks, all available!"
"The finest new stock, lightweight and brilliantly colored!"
The maids and servants listened in awe: "Is it real?"
"Whether it's real or not, you’ll know once you take a look. It’s right there on Jiping Street. Hurry and inform your young ladies and masters—the stock is limited, and once it’s gone, it’s gone."
With that, the rider didn’t linger for further questions and spurred his horse onward.
In less than an hour, the news of southern silks being sold on Jiping Street had spread through the major residential lanes of the city.
The Northern Territory's prefectural city was, after all, not as prosperous as the south. Though it was a prefectural seat, there were few amusements to be had.
Hearing of the latest satins being sold, and with the vendor making such a lively fuss, people couldn’t help but want to see the novelty for themselves.
Moreover, it was southern goods—everyone knew Tongzhou’s fabrics and silks were exceptional. In the Northern Territory's vast, sandy lands, clothing materials and patterns were limited. Even wealthy families rarely had access to the latest styles.
Upon hearing this, many people began preparing to head to Jiping Street.
By this time, Huo Shu had already rented three stalls from the street manager and merged them into one. The group worked swiftly, laying out mats and clean white cloth over the stalls.
They unloaded several large crates filled with bolts of fabric. Ji Taoyu selected over a dozen of the best-selling pieces from Tongzhou to display.
They had set up their stall early, and since it was located on the city’s bustling main street, the crowd and commotion drew curious onlookers without the need for shouting or hawking.
"Silks from Tongzhou?"
Ji Taoyu was in the middle of arranging a large bolt of fabric when he heard the question. Turning, he saw a servant.
He quickly replied, "Indeed! Come take a look at the goods."
The servant frowned, eyeing the makeshift stall. "How could the latest Tongzhou silks be sold in such a crude place?"
Ji Taoyu hurried to greet them: "The stall is temporary, simple as it may be, but everything is clean and tidy."
"Not a speck of dirt on the goods. Whether it’s from Tongzhou, you can tell at a glance."
Under Ji Taoyu’s enthusiastic invitation, the servant stepped closer. At the sight of the partially unrolled fabrics, their expression immediately changed.
"Such exquisite material."
The servant couldn’t resist picking up a bolt and running their fingers over it, their eyes alight with delight. "I’d heard damask silk was lightweight, but I never imagined it would be as sheer as cicada wings!"
Seeing their interest, Ji Taoyu said, "The weather’s already warming up. Take a bolt back and have it tailored—just in time for the season."
The servant beamed. "Hold this one for me for a moment. I’ll go fetch our madam."
Ji Taoyu watched as the servant hurried back to a nearby carriage and exchanged a few words.
Soon after, they helped a plump, dignified woman step down from the carriage.
The woman held her chin high, exuding an air of pride.
Ji Taoyu glanced at her adornments—a gold necklace around her neck, three gemstone rings on her fingers, not to mention the array of precious ornaments in her hair.
Clearly, money was no object.
"How crude. How could street-side goods possibly be—"
Before she could finish her disdainful remark, her eyes fell on the displayed fabrics, and her words abruptly cut off.
"Oh, this satin! I once saw something similar at Guangbao Pavilion, but someone else had already reserved it. The texture and surface are the same, but the pattern here is even more delicate."
The quality of the goods instantly dispelled the wealthy woman’s contempt for roadside wares. Instead, she clung to them like a starving person stumbling upon food.
"And there’s gauze too!"
Having found a treasure, she asked, "What’s the price?"
Seeing her extraordinary enthusiasm, Ji Taoyu recalled that this gauze sold for six or seven taels of silver in Tongzhou—no small sum.
Following the tenfold markup he and Huo Shu had agreed on, he started high: "Eighty taels per bolt."
Even for a woman draped in gold and jewels, the price gave her pause.
The servant quickly interjected, "Isn’t that price a bit steep? It’s just a bolt of fabric, not some gold or silver artifact."
Ji Taoyu mimicked the smooth-talking clerks of Shili Cloth Shop: "How can you compare the two? Gold and silver aren’t necessities, but clothing and fabric are indispensable—what could be more important than what touches your skin?"
"Though the gauze is costly, its lightness and sheen are unmatched. Even in Tongzhou, it’s rare. With your noble bearing, madam, it would suit you perfectly in the summer months—highlighting your dignified grace while keeping you cool and comfortable."
"The Northern Territory's harsh sun and wind leave most with rough skin, but your complexion is exceptionally fair and smooth. Few could carry off this sunset hue as you could. Others might want to buy it, but they’d lack the fairness to do it justice."
Though the woman didn’t openly acknowledge his words, she unconsciously touched her cheek.
As Ji Taoyu had said, the Northern Territory's climate was unkind—most women and gers had coarse skin, couldn't be compared to southerners like him.
But who wouldn’t secretly preen under such praise from a fair and handsome young ger?
"Our madam is indeed beautiful. Since this fabric seems destined for her, surely you can lower the price a little."
Ji Taoyu was about to knock off ten taels when the woman declared, "Never mind. It’s rare to find something I truly like. Wrap it up for me."
Then, with an air of extravagance, she added, "Two bolts."
Joy surged in Ji Taoyu’s heart. "Of course! I’ll package them neatly for you at once."
Beside him, Ji Wenliang’s eyes nearly bulged at how easily the sale had been made. As he turned to help wrap the fabric, he discreetly gave Ji Taoyu a thumbs-up.
"No one does it like you, Brother Taoyu."
Ji Taoyu shrugged: "It really takes someone from the Northern Territories to spend so generously."
Ge Liang and his men hadn’t wasted their efforts in promoting their goods—people gradually began seeking them out.
In less time than it took to burn a stick of incense, their rather spacious stall was crowded with onlookers.
Thank you for the update!!!!
ReplyDelete